State funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll

The service for Her Majesty took place at Westminster Abbey at 11am on Monday

Author: PA Reporters and Emma HartPublished 19th Sep 2022
Last updated 19th Sep 2022

The UK's longest-serving monarch, Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll, will be laid to rest on 19th September following her state funeral.

Some 2,000 people attended Monday's service at Westminster Abbey, with world leaders, UK prime ministers past and present and key figures from public life joining members of the royal family. Listen

The Monarch's four-day lying-in-state finished at 6.30am, with an estimated 400,000 people having viewed her coffin at Westminster Hall.

You can look back at the pictures, videos and tributes paid during The Queen's funeral on our liveblog below.

Funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll

Watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth 11

Queen's final journey through London ends

Queen Elizabeth ll has left London for the final time, after her coffin was transferred to the State Hearse at Wellington Arch.

Members of the royal family watched on as the bearer party lifted the coffin from the State Gun Carriage and loaded it into the back of the vehicle.

Much of the procession party lined up in formation on the green next to the monument and stood in silence during the moving of the coffin.

The National Anthem, 'God Save The King' was played and the crowds cheered and clapped as Her Majesty was driven away towards Windsor for a private committal ceremony.

Cheers as Queen's coffin reaches Buckingham Palace

The crowd along the Mall broke into applause and cheers after the Queen's coffin passed them and circled round the Queen Victoria Memorial outside Buckingham Palace.

Members of the royal family, including the King, remained expressionless as they marched behind, while other members of the royal family, including the Princess of Wales, looked on at the crowds as they passed them in vehicles.

Once the coffin reached Buckingham Palace, members of staff at the palace bowed and curtsied both at the coffin and members of the royal family as they made their way past.

Head of Queen's procession reaches Wellington Arch

The head of the procession leading the Queen's coffin through London has reached the Wellington Arch monument at Hyde Park Corner where the coffin will be transferred on to the state hearse.

The mass of military bands and personnel slowly marched into the green space around the imposing monument.

According to English Heritage, the arch was an original entrance to Buckingham Palace, later becoming a victory arch commemorating the Duke of Wellington’s defeat of Napoleon.

The arch is topped by a large bronze sculpture, depicting the angel of peace descending on the four-horsed chariot of war.

The Queen's final journey through London

Queen's funeral watched across the UK

Queen's coffin borne through Horse Guards Parade

The Queen's coffin has been borne through Horse Guards Parade, where her majesty presided over scores of Trooping the Colour ceremonies during her reign.

It has now has entered The Mall, as the funeral procession continues towards Buckingham Palace.

The scene was bathed in sunshine with the sound of military bands punctuated by Big Ben's chimes.

Royals salute during Queen's procession

As the Queen's funeral procession moved past the Cenotaph in London, the King, the Prince of Wales, the Princess Royal and the Earl of Wessex saluted the memorial to Britain and the Commonwealth soldiers killed in the First and Second World Wars.

Minute guns fired as The Queen's procession passes

Minute Guns are being fired in Hyde Park by The King’s Troop, Royal Horse Artillery, as Big Ben tolls throughout the duration the procession.

Ex-Service Association standard bearers, mustered by the Royal British Legion, flanked the Cenotaph on Whitehall and saluted as the Queen's coffin moved past.

Queen's coffin leaves Westminster Abbey

The Queen’s coffin, followed by the King, the Prince of Wales, the Duke of Sussex, Duke of York and the Princess Royal, has begun its procession towards Wellington Arch after it was placed back onto the State Gun Carriage.

The route is lined by the armed forces from Westminster Abbey to the top of Constitution Hill at the Commonwealth Memorial Gates.

Mounties of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police lead the procession followed immediately by representatives of the George Cross foundations from Malta, the former Royal Ulster Constabulary, and four representatives from the NHS.

Scenes of emotion after Queen's funeral

The King looked very emotional during the singing of the National Anthem at Westminster Abbey.

Charles remained silent during the song, while his siblings and members of the royal family sang along.

Gripping his ceremonial sword, Charles looked downcast as he stared straight ahead while a piper played Sleep, Dearie, Sleep.

In Whitehall, Parliament Square, and Hyde Park, the funeral service moved some to tears.

When the time came for the two-minute silence, not a sound could be heard the length of Whitehall as many in the crowd bowed their head or closed their eyes.

Even as the two-minutes elapsed, many remained hushed and quiet. It was not until the time came, a few moments later, to sing the national anthem that the crowd roused itself, applause breaking out across the length of Whitehall when it came to a close.

National silence after Queen's funeral

Queen Elizabeth ll's state funeral at Westminster Abbey has ended with a two-minute silence and, The Last Post and The National Anthem, 'God Save The King'.

State trumpeters from the Household Cavalry sounded the Last Post after the Archbishop of Canterbury's commendation over the Queen's coffin and a blessing pronounced by the Dean.

A two-minute silence followed, before Reveille was sounded by the trumpeters. The National Anthem was then sung by the congregation.

"We will meet again"

The Archbishop of Canterbury has told mourners at Westminster Abbey those who follow Her Majesty The Queen's example "will meet again".

The remarks echo those made by the Monarch to comfort the nation during the coronavirus pandemic.

In a televised address in April 2020, the Queen evoked lyrics from Dame Vera Lynn's wartime song, telling viewers: "We will meet again".

Sermons read at Queen's funeral

In his sermon at the state funeral of the Queen, the Archbishop of Canterbury has told mourners the "grief" felt around the world over her death "arises from her abundant life and loving service", adding: "She was joyful, present to so many, touching a multitude of lives".

The Most Rev Justin Welby said: "People of loving service are rare in any walk of life. Leaders of loving service are still rarer. But in all cases those who serve will be loved and remembered when those who cling to power and privileges are forgotten. The grief of this day – felt not only by the late Queen’s family but all round the nation, Commonwealth and world – arises from her abundant life and loving service, now gone from us".

Prince George was reading the Order of Service during the Archbishop's sermon, while Princess Charlotte was seen whispering to her mother.

The King was seen reading silently from the Order of Service during prayers, while the Queen Consort, seated to his left, listened intently.

Comfort for Prince George and Princess Charlotte

Prince George and Princess Charlotte walked in between their parents behind the Queen's coffin as part of a solemn procession through Westminster Abbey.

Ahead of the service, the Princess of Wales could be seen holding Charlotte's hand, and giving her a reassuring touch on the shoulder.

As the young royals walked behind their great grandmother's coffin, Charlotte held her hands clasped in front of her while George had his arms by his side.

Princess Charlotte could be seen looking around from under the brim of her hat while the mourners sang The Lord's My Shepherd.

Prince George was seen singing The Day Thou Gavest, Lord, Is Ended as he stood between his parents, the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Second hymn was sung at Queen's wedding

The second hymn, 'The Lord's my shepherd', to the Crimond tune, originates from a parish in Aberdeenshire, not far from Balmoral Castle, where the Queen passed away and was sung at the wedding of The Queen and The Duke of Edinburgh.

The young Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret summoned the Master of Choristers to Buckingham Palace in the lead up to the wedding and sang for him the particular descant, by William Baird Ross, which they wanted to be used.

Reading by Prime Minister, Liz Truss

The Prime Minister, Liz Truss, read the second lesson for mourners gathered in Westminster Abbey for the Queen's funeral. Taken from John 14, the lesson is one of comfort.

First reading by Baroness Scotland

Reading the First Lesson, from Corinthians 15, Baroness Scotland told the congregation: "For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive".

The verses included the lines: “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law.

"But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord".

Dean of Windsor gives the bidding

The Dean of Windsor has given the bidding, ahead of the first hymn, 'The day thou gavest, Lord, is ended', which evokes the image of one day, one era, leading into another.

He told the congregation: "Here, where Queen Elizabeth was married and crowned, we gather from across the nation, from the Commonwealth, and from the nations of the world, to mourn our loss, to remember her long life of selfless service, and in sure confidence to commit her to the mercy of God our maker and redeemer.”

The wreath which adorns the Queen’s coffin includes flowers requested by King Charles, cut from the gardens of Buckingham Palace, Clarence House and Highgrove House.

They include rosemary, for remembrance, and myrtle cut from a plant which was grown from a sprig of myrtle in the Queen’s wedding bouquet.

Funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll begins

The Queen's coffin has been carried into Westminster Abbey by the bearer party of Grenadier Guards ahead of the state funeral service.

The short procession from Westminster Hall, to the sound of bagpipes and with Big Ben tolling, took around eight minutes.

As the coffin entered, the Choir of Westminster Abbey sang lines, known as The Sentences, from Revelation 14:13, set to music written by William Croft and used at every state funeral since the early 18th century.

Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive for Queen's funeral

The Queen Consort, Princess of Wales and Duchess of Sussex arrive

King Charles lll arrives for The Queen's funeral

The King and members of the royal family, including Princes William and Harry have arrived at the Palace of Westminster after driving the short distance from Buckingham Palace.

Charles waved at well-wishers from the back seat of his vehicle, which was one of four cars to arrive at Westminster Hall.

There were cheers from the crowds as the cars drove past, with the streets packed full of people trying to get a glimpse at the King.

The King arrived at the North Door of Westminster Hall at around 10.34am.

Prime Ministers and former Prime Ministers arrive

Prime Minister Liz Truss has arrived at Westminster Abbey ahead of Her Majesty The Queen's funeral, along with former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson, David Cameron and Theresa May.

Ms Truss was accompanied by husband Hugh O’Leary, Mr Johnson by his wife Carrie, and Mrs May by her husband Philip. Mr Cameron walked in with wife Samantha.

Moments later former Labour prime ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair walked into the Abbey, alongside wives Sarah and Cherie respectively.

Ms Truss, who will read the Second Lesson during the service, was greeted by members of the clergy and shook their hands in turn before taking her seat in the abbey.

US President Joe Biden arrives for Queen's funeral

World leaders arrive for Queen's funeral

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife Brigitte have arrived at Westminster Abbey for The Queen's funeral.

He nodded and shared a few words with an usher as the line of dignitaries slowed to a stop as people were shown to their places.

Tributes to The Queen

Stories of Her Majesty, The Queen

Armed Forces prepare for Queen's funeral

Bell tolls at Westminster Abbey

Westminster Abbey’s tenor bell has started to toll once per minute for 96 minutes in a nod to the years of the Queen's life.

"The tenor bell is the largest of the Abbey’s ten bells and is traditionally tolled upon the death of a member of the Royal Family", the Abbey's Twitter account posted.

Order of Service for Queen's funeral

How to watch the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll

Guests arrive at Queen Elizabeth ll's funeral

Travel advice ahead of Queen's funeral

Public viewing areas in London full

London's City Hall says public viewing areas for the procession of the Queen's coffin from Westminster Abbey to Wellington Arch are full.

A statement on Twitter said: "All procession viewing areas are now full. There is no entry to any new arrivals.

"Please follow the advice of stewards and police. If you are in the area or about to arrive, use the dedicated walking route to Hyde Park to watch Her Majesty The Queen’s state funeral and procession".

Central London 'extremely busy', warns Government

Remembering Our Queen

Tribute from King Charles lll

New photo of Queen Elizabeth ll

On the eve of her funeral, the royal family released a previously unseen photo of Queen Elizabeth ll - taken for Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee...

National Moment of Reflection

On Sunday 18th September, communities across the UK came together for a National Moment of Reflection for Queen Elizabeth ll, with a minute's silence...

Camilla's tribute to Queen Elizabeth ll

The Queen's funeral in pictures

The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, as it leaves Westminster Hall for the State Funeral at Westminster Abbey

King Charles III, the Princess Royal, the Duke of York and the Earl of Wessex walk behind the coffin as it moves to Westminster Abbey

The State Gun Carriage carrying the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II

Members of the clergy wait for the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II to arrive at Westminster Abbey

King Charles III salutes the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II as it is carried into Westminster Abbey

King Charles III and the Queen Consort in front of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II during her State Funeral

(front row) King Charles III, the Queen Consort, the Princess Royal, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, the Duke of York, the Earl of Wessex, the Countess of Wessex, (second row) the Duke of Sussex, the Duchess of Sussex, Princess Beatrice, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi and Lady Louise Windsor, and (third row) Samuel Chatto, Arthur Chatto, Lady Sarah Chatto and Daniel Chatto in front of the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II

Archbishop of Canterbury, the Most Reverend Justin Welby speaking during the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II

An aerial view of The Queen's coffin as the procession after Her Majesty's funeral makes its way through London

Her Majesty The Queen's coffin during the procession after her funeral in London

The Queen's coffin being pulled along The Mall during the procession after Her Majesty's funeral

Buckingham Palace staff pay their respects as the Queen's coffin and procession pass by following Her Majesty's funeral

The State Gun Carriage carries the coffin of Queen Elizabeth II, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial State Crown and the Sovereign's orb and sceptre, in the Ceremonial Procession following her State Funeral at Westminster Abbey.

The Royal family watch as the funeral procession reaches Wellington Arch and Queen Elizabeth II's coffin is transferred from the gun carriage to the state hearse

The Queen's coffin reaches Wellington Arch ahead of the journey to Windsor

The funeral moves to Windsor

The Queen's coffin and funeral procession arriving at Windsor

Crowds gather by the famous Long Walk at Windsor for The Queen's funeral procession

King Charles lll leads The Queen's funeral procession as it arrives at Windsor

The Queen's fell pony, Emma, standing by Her Majesty's funeral procession as it arrives at Windsor

The Royal family at the Queen's Committal service at St George's chapel in Windsor

Arriving at the funeral

Prince George enters Westminster Abbey

The Queen consort, Princess of Wales, Prince George and Princess Charlotte arrive at Queen Elizabeth's funeral

Funeral Guests

Former Prime Ministers, Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, arrive at Westminster Abbey ahead of The Queen's funeral.

Prime Minister Liz Truss arriving at Westminster Abbey for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth ll

US President Joe Biden walks through Westminster Abbey to take his seat at The Queen's funeral.

The Dean of Westminster, David Hoyle, greets US President Joe Biden and Jill Biden ahead of the state funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife arriving at Westminster Abbey for The Queen's funeral

Guests begin to arrive for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II, held at Westminster Abbey in London.

Ahead of the Funeral

A quiet and still Buckingham Palace ahead of Her Majesty The Queen's state funeral in London

Guests arriving and taking their seats at Westminster Abbey ahead of the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

Crowds gathering in central London ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll

Police officers in central London ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll

Orders of Service on seats ahead of the funeral of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth II, at Westminster Abbey

Before the funeral

On the eve of her funeral, the royal family released a previously unseen photo of Her Majesty, Queen Elizabeth ll, that was taken to mark the Monarch's Platinum Jubilee.

Before the funeral the Queen lay in state in Westminster Hall. Thousand of people queued day and night to walk past the coffin and pay their respects.
King Charles, The Princess Royal, The Duke of York and The Earl of Wessex stood vigil around the coffin for a spell on on of the days.

On Saturday 17th September, The Queen's grandchildren, led by Prince William, held a vigil around their grandmother's coffin during her lying-in-state at Westminster Hall.

On Friday 16th September, King Charles lll led a vigil of The Queen's children around their mother's coffin lying-in-state at Westminster Hall

Queen Elizabeth II

There can be little doubt the biggest story of 2022 was the loss of the UK's longest-serving monarch, her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Royal family confirmed the sad news on the evening of 8th September.
Huge numbers of tributes were paid to the late Queen as the country entered into a period of mourning. The new King paid tribute to his 'dear mama' in his first specch as monarch.

Queen Elizabeth II's coffin, draped in the Royal Standard, was carried on a horse-drawn gun carriage during the ceremonial procession from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall, London, where Her Majesty lay in state.

As the Queen died at Balmoral in Scotland, her coffin had to be brought back to London, with the RAF flying her back.

After her death, the Queen lay at rest in St Giles Cathedral in Edinburgh for a day so that people could pay their respects.
King Charles and his siblings stood vigil in the Cathedral.

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